Indigenous Rights & the UN

What was the Protection Policy, and when was it introduced?

• Introduced in the early 1900s (after Federation, 1901).

• Aimed to “protect” Indigenous people but actually controlled every aspect of their lives — where they lived, worked, married, and how they were paid.

• Led to forced removal of children, creation of reserves, wage theft, and bans on cultural practices.

• Known as the Protection Era.

What were the effects of the Protection Policy?

• Indigenous children were made wards of the state under government-appointed “Protectors.”

• Families were separated; children became the Stolen Generations.

• Cultural identity and languages were suppressed, and wages were stolen or unpaid.

• It resulted in mass loss of autonomy and culture.

What was the Day of Mourning, and when did it occur?

• Held on January 26, 1938, marking 150 years of colonisation.

• Organised by Indigenous leaders like William Cooper, William Ferguson, and Jack Patten.

• Protested against 150 years of dispossession, inequality, and suffering.

• Called for citizenship and equal rights for Indigenous Australians.

Who was William Cooper, and why is he significant?

• Indigenous activist and founder of the Australian Aborigines’ League (1930s).

• Petitioned the King of England for Indigenous representation in Parliament.

• Organised the 1938 Day of Mourning.

• Protested the treatment of Jews during Kristallnacht (1938) — the only private citizen globally to do so.

• Fought for citizenship, equality, and Indigenous self-determination.

What were the Assimilation Policies, and when did they occur?

• Ran from roughly 1910–1970.

• Intended to “absorb” Indigenous people of mixed descent into white society.

• Led to the forced removal of 100,000+ children — the Stolen Generations.

• Children placed in missions, foster homes, and institutions, often suffering abuse and lifelong trauma.

• Recognised as an atrocity in the 1997 “Bringing Them Home” report; formally apologised for by PM Kevin Rudd in 2008.

When did Indigenous Australians gain the right to vote?

• Before Federation (pre-1901): some states like SA, NSW, VIC allowed Indigenous voting.

• 1902: Commonwealth Franchise Act excluded most Indigenous people.

• 1949: Indigenous ex-servicemen granted the right to vote.

• 1962: Commonwealth Electoral Act gave all Indigenous adults the option to vote.

• 1984: Enrolment made compulsory, equal to all other Australians.

What was the Freedom Ride, and when did it occur?

• 1965, led by Charles Perkins and students from Sydney University.

• Inspired by American Civil Rights Freedom Rides.

• Aimed to expose racial discrimination in rural NSW.

• Found segregation in pools, cinemas, hotels, and RSL clubs (e.g., Moree, Walgett).

• Drew national and international attention, increasing support for Indigenous rights.

What was the 1967 Referendum, and why was it significant?

• Held on May 27, 1967.

• Proposed removing two discriminatory sections from the Constitution:

  • Section 51: Allowed Federal Government to make laws for Indigenous people.

  • Section 127: Counted Indigenous people in the census.

• Passed with over 90% “Yes” vote — the largest “Yes” vote in Australian history.

• Marked a major turning point in recognition and equality for Indigenous Australians.

What is Reconciliation, and what key events are linked to it?

• Refers to the ongoing process of healing and recognition between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

• Key milestones:

  • 1992 Mabo Decision: Recognised Native Title and rejected terra nullius.

  • 1997 Bringing Them Home Report: Exposed trauma of the Stolen Generations.

  • 2008 National Apology: PM Kevin Rudd formally apologised to the Stolen Generations.

  • Ongoing movements: Closing the Gap, Uluru Statement from the Heart (2017).

What was the impact of these Indigenous rights movements overall?

• Brought national attention to systemic racism and policy discrimination.

• Achieved legal equality (voting, representation, recognition).

• Sparked ongoing debates about constitutional reform, land rights, and sovereignty.

• Showed the power of activism and collective action in changing national attitudes.

Why was the United Nations created? When was the United Nations founded?

To provide a platform for nations to cooperate and maintain peace after the destruction of World War II. In 1945, after the end of World War II.

What organisation existed before the UN, and why did it fail?

The League of Nations, formed after World War I, failed because it lacked authority and major powers like the U.S. did not join, making it unable to prevent WWII.

Why was the United Nations considered more promising than the League of Nations?

It had the support of all major Allied powers, including the world’s new superpowers — the U.S. and the U.S.S.R

What are the main goals of the United Nations?

To maintain peace, encourage cooperation, solve global problems, and promote human rights as outlined in its Charter.

What is the UN Charter?

A foundational document that outlines the purposes, rules, and structure of the United Nations.

What is the Secretariat?

The administrative arm of the UN, led by the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly every five years.

What is the General Assembly?

The main meeting body of the UN where 193 member countries discuss and vote on global issues. Palestine and Vatican City are observers, not full members.

What is the Security Council?

The branch responsible for maintaining global peace and security, composed of 5 permanent and 10 rotating non-permanent members.

Who are the 5 permanent members of the Security Council, and what special power do permanent members of the Security Council have?

The United States, China, Russia, France, and Britain.They have Veto power — allowing any of them to block UN action or resolutions.

What does the Economic and Social Council do?

It handles global economic, social, and humanitarian issues, including sustainability and relief programs.

What is the role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?

It settles international legal disputes and interprets laws related to issues like territorial rights and maritime boundaries.

Define “veto power.”

The right of the five permanent Security Council members to block any proposed UN action, even if all others agree.

What is “sovereignty”?

The authority of a state to govern itself without interference — a key principle in international law and UN relations.

What are “peacekeeping forces”?

UN military units sent to conflict areas to maintain ceasefires, protect civilians, and support peace processes.